HISTORY Department
Members of staff:
Mrs McPherson (Part-Time)
Teaches History three days a week and is Principal Teacher of Pupil Support
Miss Amy Hyslop (Part-Time)
Outline of S1 & 2 Syllabus
Pupils must understand where they stand in the context of their own society and time. They must also be made aware of the ongoing changes in society e.g. in technology.
In S1/2, therefore, a line of development study of History is followed. Pupils should be aware of their heritage and so this necessitates the input of Scottish history into the syllabus. However, a wider European and world view must also be taught.
In S1, pupils are introduced to the study of History by comparing the work of an historian with that of a detective. Both must gather evidence from a variety of sources to offer a possible explanation of events.
The first main topic is the struggle for Scottish Independence during the late 13th and early 14th centuries. This is followed by a study of the Black People of the Americas which begins with Columbus and the discovery of America and finishes with the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
Pupils then study the Second World War with emphasis on the Home Front.
In S2, the first topic is on the Jacobites. The topic begins with the Union of the Crowns in 1603 and covers the Glorious Revolution, The Glencoe Massacre and the Union of 1707 before studying in depth the ’15 and ’45 Rebellions. This is followed by a study of the French Revolution which looks at the causes, effect and consequences of the revolution.
The course now takes a thematic approach to women’s role in History with the topic “The Changing Role of Women”. It looks at women from the Middle Ages to the present day. It looks at their traditional roles gradually changing to include academic, professional, political and business achievements.
We complete the S2 course with a study of the Cold War which starts in 1945 after WW2 and looks at the rivalry between America and the Soviet Union and the build up of nuclear weapons.
Homework is given to consolidate work done in class and consists of exercises to be completed from the textbook or an extended piece of writing on topic being studied.
Outline of S3 & 4 Syllabus
Standard Grade History
The course is based on three units of study. Each unit focuses on a broadly defined theme through which the essential characteristics of the course can be provided.
Unit 1: Changing Life in Scotland and Britain. Context B 1830s – 1930s
Unit 2: International Cooperation and Conflict. Context B 1890s – 1920s
Unit 3: People and Power. Context D Germany 1918 – 1939
There are two assessable elements:
Knowledge and Understanding and Enquiry Skills
Homework is given on a regular basis and consists of questions to be answered from textbook or questions from past examination papers.
Outline of S5 & 6 Syllabus – course choices
The purpose of the Higher course is to provide breadth and depth in the knowledge and understanding of historical concepts through the study of chosen contexts. It is also intended to develop skills of evaluating events and sources and of investigating issues.
Syllabus Option C: Later Modern History
Historical Study: Scottish and British
A study of political and popular attempts to influence the development of democracy and attempts to resolve conflicts arising from economic, political and social pressures in Britain in the period 1850s to 1979, illustrating the themes of ideology, identity and authority.
Historical Study: European and World The Growth of Nationalism in Germany
A study of ideology, identity and authority in Western Europe as shown through aspects of nationalism and the growth and changing characteristics of the nation state. In relation to Germany we concentrate on the nature of Fascism and the reasons for its victory: the nature of Fascist authority and the use of power to 1939.
Historical Special Topic: Appeasement and the Road to War
A study of the nature of Fascist foreign policy in Europe and the reactions of the democratic powers to its threat. The policy of appeasement and reaction to it as seen through, in particular, the re-occupation of the Rhineland; intervention in the Spanish Civil War; the annexation of Austria and the developing crisis in Czechoslovakia up to Munich.
Homework
Pupils are encouraged to read as much as possible using the wide range of reference books and magazines in the History library. They must read over notes/textbook and finish exercises started in class.
The main form of homework is an essay or source exercise on the current topic.
Advanced Higher History
There is a choice of topics, this year students have undertaken a detailed study of Germany from Versailles to Second World War.
Students study in class and independently the creation of the Weimar Republic in 1919, the problems which beset it, the rise of Nazism and ultimately the Third Reich up to 1939.
Coursework involves essay writing and source work. A significant degree of personal reading is necessary to acquire the necessary breadth of historical interpretation.
A 4000 word dissertation is also undertaken form Christmas- Easter and forms part of the overall exam. The external exam is 3hours and is made up of two essays and three source questions from the period.
Details of any extracurricular activities organised by the department:
Regular visits to sites of historical interest are undertaken.
